This week, 43 monkeys escaped from Alpha Genesis, a primate research facility located in Yemassee, South Carolina. Authorities have successfully recaptured one monkey.

Yemassee is a small town approximately 26 miles away from Beaufort.

On Saturday, the Yemassee Police Department provided an update via Facebook, announcing the recovery of one monkey.

“As of noon today, we are happy to share that one of the escaped primates has been successfully found unharmed,” the police department stated. “A considerable number of the remaining primates are still just a few yards from the facility, leaping back and forth over the fence.”

The staff of Alpha Genesis is present on-site and will continue to oversee the situation throughout the weekend, as indicated by the police.

While trying to recover the animals, the organization has issued a warning to the public that the monkeys can easily become startled by humans and other objects.

“We must stress the need to avoid flying drones in the area,” said Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis Incorporated, in a statement. “Drones not only scare the animals but also increase their stress levels.”

“A drone that was present in the area yesterday frightened the animals and complicated efforts to safely capture them,” Westergaard added.

Escape due to unsecured doors

The monkeys managed to escape because a caregiver neglected to secure the doors, as explained by Greg Westergaard, the CEO of Alpha Genesis, according to the police. Initially, it was reported that 40 monkeys had escaped, but the accurate count is now confirmed to be 43.

According to the police, these monkeys haven’t been involved in any testing due to their young age and small size. An Alpha Genesis spokesperson notified the police that “these animals are too young to carry any disease.”

The monkeys are thought to be lurking in the wooded areas surrounding the facility, and law enforcement is helping the Alpha Genesis staff, who are attempting to lure the monkeys back with food.

Public urged to be cautious and keep away

Residents of Yemassee and nearby regions have been “strongly advised” to secure their homes by closing all doors and windows to stop the monkeys from entering.

Authorities recommend that residents “avoid approaching” or engaging with the monkeys and to dial 911 if they spot any of the escaped monkeys.

“These animals are very sensitive and can be easily startled,” the Yemassee Police Department provided in their statement. “The public is encouraged to stay clear of the area, as these animals tend to be skittish, and any extra noise or movement could impede their safe capture.”

This isn’t the first instance of monkeys escaping from the facility. In 2016, 19 monkeys fled Alpha Genesis and were recaptured nearly six hours later, as reported by The Post and Courier. Additionally, 26 monkeys escaped in December 2014.

Alpha Genesis, which conducts research for government, universities, and private organizations, did not immediately respond to YSL News’s inquiry about the incident.

What type of monkeys escaped in South Carolina?

The monkeys that got away are rhesus macaques, identified as “very young females weighing roughly 6 to 7 pounds.”

Originally from Asia, rhesus macaques have established residency along the swampy banks of Florida’s Silver River. As of 2022, their population is estimated to have risen to about 400, increasing from 176 in 2015, according to a study conducted by University of Florida researchers.

They were first introduced to Ocala nearly 90 years ago as part of jungle cruise attractions, as noted by the Ocala StarBanner, a part of the YSL News Network. The macaques were liberated on Monkey Island and subsequently swam off, grouping with other monkeys in the river.

However, there are concerns: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified these Florida monkeys as a public health risk, as roughly 25% of them are carriers of the herpes B virus. The interactions between humans and the monkeys raise worries, especially with kayakers and others who feed them, which is against the law.

How many monkeys does Alpha Genesis have?

Alpha Genesis manages around 5,000 monkeys across two locations, featuring species from Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. These include marmosets, cynomolgus macaques, rhesus macaques, African greens, and various New World species.

Although the primates escaped from the facility on Castle Hall Road in Beaufort County, Alpha Genesis also operates a site in neighboring Hampton County, as reported by the Hampton County Guardian.

What is Alpha Genesis?

According to its website, Alpha Genesis Inc. claims to be the “leading provider of premium nonhuman primate products and services globally.”

The facility highlights that its “experienced and compassionate staff” is “committed to performing ethical research with nonhuman primates to enhance understanding of primate biology and address human health issues.”

During a 2011 interview with The Hampton County Guardian, Alpha Genesis President and CEO Dr. Greg Westergaard mentioned that the facility primarily serves as a breeding center, raising the monkeys for “research purposes.”

Westergaard elaborated, “Our main focus is on the health and reproduction of monkeys, and we primarily breed animals for research.”

“We conduct behavioral studies here, and the impact is quite minimal, such as drawing blood,” stated the CEO.

He emphasized, “All the animals here are disease-free, and none of the studies pose a threat to either the monkeys or the staff.”

According to the Hampton County Guardian, Alpha Genesis began its journey in 1964, originally supplying animals for polio vaccine research.

As per Alpha Genesis, the animals raised in Yemassee are sold exclusively to research institutions licensed by the USDA, where they are used ethically and legally to aid vaccine development and find cures for a variety of illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy.

“I completely endorse alternatives to animal testing but at this moment, I can’t see an alternative,” Westergaard remarked. “Nevertheless, I believe in medical progress that benefits a large population. Our aim is to maintain the animals’ health while minimizing their usage.”

Monkey Island

In March 2023, Alpha Genesis took over the management of South Carolina’s Morgan Island, popularly known as “Monkey Island,” which houses around 3,500 rhesus monkeys, as reported by The Post and Courier.

This island, situated near Beaufort, spans over 2,000 acres and is inaccessible to humans, according to Travel and Leisure.

Morgan Island was once under the ownership and supervision of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, while the colony of monkeys was owned by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.